1. The exact dollar amount of the gift. Yes, your gift letter needs to be notarized.Also, both the donor needs to sign it to make it valid. I attest to the following facts: a. There is no expectation that the money will be paid back; and b. Fill out Affidavit of Gift: You'll need to complete an Affidavit of Gift form. Pay Fees: Be prepared to cover the necessary title and registration fees. You can use gifted funds to make a down payment, but your mortgage lender will want to know some details before they allow you to use it. Many forms require signatures from a Notary Public or a DMV representative to be valid. The gift deed will require a full description of the property.